Apple investigating gaming, browser graphics errors

updated 05:15 pm EST, Wed November 26, 2008

by MacNN Staff

MacBook graphics errors

Apple is investigating two different graphics issues relating to MacBooks, posters in the company's support forums say. The first is limited to unibody MacBook Pros, but involves a hard lockup during various games, in which the screen goes black, audio loops and no cursor control is possible. The problem affects both Mac and Windows games, and appears to be unrelated to a specific title, since crashes have occurred in games like Call of Duty 4, World of Warcraft and Company of Heroes.

Customer speculation suggests that the trouble may lie with drivers or cooling, leading to a situation in which a Mac overheats. This is supported by some mildly successful troubleshooting efforts, which have involved installing alternate NVIDIA drivers and a utility for manually controlling fan speed. Other Pro owners have reported having to swap out their logic boards however, or getting a replacement system.

The second problem affects both Pro and basic unibody MacBooks, and entails wave distortions in web browsers as well as HD video. The error is said to be particularly unusual in that it affects only Mac OS X and not Windows, and has a parallel with NVIDIA-based iMacs, but no Apple computer with Intel or AMD graphics.

It is thought that the cause could again be related to NVIDIA drivers, but also the WebKit engine, used in browsers such as Safari. Non-WebKit browsers such as Opera appear to be unaffected by the distortions.

TAGS

TOTAL_COMMENTS Comments

...is that it's more of an Nvidia issue than an Apple-only or Apple-specific issue.

Why I think so is b/c I've had bad experiences with Nforce chipsets in the past on PC notebooks (specifically the 6600), and issues like those described seemed to happen on occasion (especially the fan!).

This has been a common problem recently. We have seen it across a number of models, including the Mac Pro (which one would think had sufficient cooling, apparently doesn't in some cases), and with both ATI and Nvidia chipsets. It is very annoying that these companies have so obviously not performed proper product testing on their chipsets, and that Apple has just passed these problems on to their consumers instead of properly testing the parts they are using.

You would think that they would have fixed this kind of thing by now . . .

I had to just replace my logic board on my early 2008 MacBook Pro because of the defective Nvidia 8600GT graphics processor. Haven't Nvidia & Apple learned anything from this? I think these chips had about a 100% failure rate.

This doesn't bode well for Apple. I've owned a 2nd generation iMac, a PowerMac 6500, an LC III and a Mac SE - never had any problems like this before. Somebody's really slipping up . . .

An nVidia issue rather than an Apple-specific issue???? What are you smoking? If a restaurant gives you food poisoning, it doesn't matter who sold them the chicken, they're the ones who served it to you, period. What is this, defend Apple at any cost?

Why doesn't Apple work with NVIDIA to allow an easy to replace graphics card for the MacBook and MacBook Pro logic boards? This way Apple wouldn't need to take out the entire logic board thus lowering the amount of time spent replacing defective parts such the faulty GPU. This would also provide the option for Apple to sell other GPU solutions (ie: Quadro FX 3700M) to their customers wanting to upgrade their current system. NVIDIA already has this technology so all it takes is Apple to work it into their logic board design.

As for the current issue with the NVIDIA GPU used in the MacBook line it's unfortunate. Compared to ATI, NVIDIA has a long standing history of quality products and drivers used by both gamers and the film industry. It's surprising to hear that they are having issue with this GPU. If they had offered interchangeable graphics then the MacBook could of used the 9XXX series instead of the current 8XXX series.

The overheating and lockups (sans black screen) are occuring on my unibody 2.4Ghz MacBook, too, during gaming, including playing World of Warcraft. My workaround has involved overclocking the internal fan, which has resolved the issue temporarily. Disappointing...

Login Here

Now AAPL Stock: The symbol you provided ("AAPL") doesn't appear to be registered

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer627d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

627d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry627d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting627d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage628d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor629d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE